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June 5, 1923. 1,457,608 I E. L. SCHUMACHER COMBI NATI ON FRAME Filed Feb. 11, 1922 r ,F/GJZ I may /AHV F/GJZ F/ZZ-H HEW ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER L. SCHUMACHER, OF SOUTHBR'IDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMER- ICAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS,'A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINATION FRAME.

Application filed February 11, 1922. Serial No. 535,672.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Emma L. SCI-IU- MAOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State. of lVIassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in combii'iation frames, and has particular reference to a spectacle or eyeglass rim embodying both metallic and non-metallic portions.

One of the principal objects of the pres ent invention is the provision of a novel and improved construction which may be produced from rod stock, or the like, and in which the composition material. will be retained in position on the metallic material through the inherent resiliency of the former.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved mounting of this character in which the composition material shall present a smooth and unbroken surface without apparent fastening devices piercing the same. Another object of the present invention. is the provision of a combination structure .in which the composition material shall be distorted in such manner that its inherent tendency to relieve itself of the distorting strain will cause it t more firmly grip and engage the contained metal rim member.

Other objects and advantages of my improvement should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in the specific details of construction shown and described Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention.

Figure I represents a front view of a mounting embodying my improvements.

Figure II represents a sectional view through the metal rim.

FigureflIII represents a sectional view through the stock from which the composition rim member is formed.

Figures IV, V and VI represent sectional views illustrating steps in the manufacture 0f the composition or non-metallic rim.

Figure VII represents a sectional View transversely through the complete frame as illustrated in Figure I.

V Figure VIII represents a sectional View taken through the frame at the point of projection of the fastening prongs.

Figure IX represents a fragmentary sec tional view taken as on the line IXIX of Figure VIII.

Figures X, XI and XII illustrate an alternative manner of forming the composition covering.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts or features throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates the bridge of a mounting having secured to each end a metallic lens receiving frame member 2 having a lens receiving groove 3. The ends of these metallic rim or frame members carry the separable end pieces 4: which serve to hold the ends of a the frame together around the lens and also as a pivotal attachment for the temples 5 serving to retain the mounting in position on the face.

I would call especial attention to the particular shape of frame as shown cross section in Figure II, for example, from which it will be noted that the frame is of flattened formation, that is to say, quite wide from front to rear but relatively thin as measured through the lens receiving groove. Inthe formation of the composition frame member for use in conjunction therewith, however, I preferably make use of a pieceof composition stock 6 of oval or elliptical form in cross section, this material being adapted for rim use, while in rod form by being milled out into the groove 7 which extends along the longer axis of the rod member considered in cross section in place of the groove being along theshorter axis as in the metal member in Figure II.. The stock having been thus grooved I prefer ably spread or open out the same as indicated in Figure V to a width equal to thatof the frame member 2, and then subsequently roll or form the terminal edges inwardly as at 8, as indicated in Figure VI, at the same time preferably curling the stock into a long spiral, each coil being substantially the size of the metal rim on which the composition frame member is to be subsequently placed. This formation of the material has a double advantage, in that the inward curling of the edge, as at 8, atfords means for gripping the metal frame to retain the parts in place, as shown in Fig; ure VII, while at the same time this combined inward curling of the edge and coiling up of the stock gives the stock a natural set or tendency to hold the edges 8inward so that they will most satisfactorily grippingly engage the metal.

As an alternative method of construction, I may make use of the rod stock shown in Figure X, first slotting it as at 9 and then spreading it at the slot, as shown in Figure XI, and milling; it with an undercut grooved portion as indicated at 10. In this form the rim, as is the rim shown in Figure VI, is snapped over the metal when its inherent resiliency will retain it in place.

One of the principal points to be consid ered in connection with the construction of any-composition frame of this character is the fact that zylonite and similar composition materials, while capable of n'ioldinn' or shaping"v into" various forms, have the inherent tendency when heated or under the etlect of climatic conditions to return to their original shape, and it is this principle that is made use of in connection with both "forms oi my invention as just described. In both of these forms it is to be noted that I have formed r'od stock with a groove or slot and have subsequently opened or bent outward the stock from this form; The result is that the stock has at all times an inherent con tracting tendency so that any climatic or other effects tending to tree the stool: ol the set which has been given it during the manufacturing operations, causes the side walls to close inward and to hold tightly and z -#1.: factorily grip the contained metal one, rather than causing it to spread outward away from the frame, is the case when sheet stock is shaped into grooved form in the attempt to produce a structure olf the general type just described.

While I have found that under o'rdinz-iry conditions the inherent resiliency is su'l'licient to retain the composition frame in position on the non-metallic, in certain instances it is desirable that the same be mechanically additionally supported, and in this event I may make use of suitable fastening means, one form bein' a' illustrated in connection with Figures VIII and IX, in which I grave, strike up, or otherwise form from the material of the metal frame 2 the laterally deflected prong or prongs 11. which are of size to satisfactorily project and bite into the non-metallic material as it is forced there around, and yet sulficiently small so that they will not pierce said material, but will remain concealed therein, while resisting any accidental loosening movement ot the parts.

I claim:

1. The combination with a metal rim, of a composition covering therefor formed from distorted rod stock whereby the tendency of the stock in relieving the distortion will be to more firmly grip the metal rim.

2. A combination ophthalmic frame com prising an inner metallic lens receiving rim and an encircling non-metallic member lit-- tingaround said metallic rim, said nonmetallic member having an. initial rain in.- troduced therein causing a constant contractional tendency in the non-metallic rim to tighten the same on the metal rim.

3. The process of producing an ophthah mic rim consisting in "forming a metal in her with a groove to receive a lens and with portions extending laterally from the pfroov'e,

initially forming a composition member of less width than the width of the said metallic member, said composition member being: provided with a groove subsequently cs1 ending the composition member, and inserting the metallic member within the groove in the composition member, whereby there will be an inherent gripping in the expenses composition member, securely retaining in engagement with the metal member.

41-. The process of producing an opthalmic rim consisting in forming a flattened metal lens receiving); rim, slotting a solid. composition rod and expanding the slot and forcing the expanded member over he metal rim.

5. The process of producing an opthalmic rim consisting in forming a flattened metal lens receiving rim, slotting a solid composi tion rod, expanding the slot, and forcing the expanded member over the metal. rinnsaid composition member having its edge in turned to grippingly engage the metallic member.

6. The process of forming an ophthalmic. mounting consisting; in slotting; a solid com-- position rod,laterally displacing the walls oi the slot, and forcing a metal lens engaging. member into the space caused by said lateral displacement.

7. The process of forming,- a composition rim, consisting in longitudinally s otting an elongated composition member, laterally displacing thewalls forming the sides of the slot, inturninp; the terminal edges of said member,- and forcing a metallic lens receiving frame into the slot by way of the intur'ned edges, whereby the inherent resiliency of the non-metallic member serves to securely lock the parts together.

In testimony whereof I have afiined my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

E. L. SCI-IUMACHER. lVitnesses:

SUSAN CAsA'zzA, Es'rrrnn M. LQFLER. 

